Nottingham, UK, 2015-Jun-04
The Smart Metering Rollout Strategy, published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, proposes a clear timetable for the transition to smart systems. Energy suppliers and network operators must all now work quickly to develop new IT systems capable of integrating with the central IT system, responsible for managing communications with smart meters. Although some companies have already embarked upon in-house programmes, other organisations will be dependent upon more CAPEX-friendly approaches by using shared infrastructure from companies like Siemens.
As a provider of market-leading meter data management system technology, Siemens has gained considerable experience delivering smart metering programmes across the world. Through OMNETRIC Group, its global joint venture with systems integrator, Accenture, Siemens is now evolving the ‘EnergyIP Platform’, to meet all GB Industry requirements. This includes full compliance with DECC and DCC legislation for security using the OMNETRIC Group DCC Gateway Solution. While a number of GB based energy suppliers and network operators have already selected this as their preferred option, the technology will also become accessible as a fully hosted and managed service for organisations wishing to outsource these new obligations.
The Siemens Managed Service for GB smart meter rollout is based on the Siemens grid application platform EnergyIP. This system will handle all of the messaging requirements of the GB smart metering infrastructure, but it can also be equipped to handle the large volumes of data that these meters will produce. This provides maximum flexibility and lowers system ownership costs.
Shared IT service provision is expected to be of greatest appeal to smaller energy suppliers and energy distributors, who are more likely to outsource their IT provision to third parties. The Siemens Managed Service will support multiple users through a secure, hosted infrastructure, tested to industry standards. In addition, common APIs are being developed to support industry processes and minimise integration effort. To make things even easier, Siemens can also provide a range of back office services to deliver the technology as a fully managed service, including a dedicated Service Desk to engage in incident management with the DCC .
Maikel van Verseveld, CEO of OMNETRIC Group said:
“eMeter has been positioned as a leader for its EnergyIP product in the 2014 Magic Quadrant for Meter Data Management*. EnergyIP will play an important role in the GB Smart Metering Programme. By offering a fully hosted and managed service based on the EnergyIP platform, together with Siemens, OMNETRIC Group will make this powerful technology more accessible and quicker to deploy for energy market stakeholders. This will help them today as they work to meet new industry requirements, and well into the future as they manage increasing volumes of smart meter data”.
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom more than 170 years ago and now employs around 14,000 people in the UK. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Frimley, Surrey. Siemens’ Operational Services business is based in Nottingham and has expertise in the field of meter services and smart metering solutions. It serves a wide variety of customers, including; major energy suppliers and utility companies; large corporations; and SMEs of every size and shape. Uniquely positioned in the energy industry, it is able to draw on the vast range of products within Siemens to provide innovative services across the smart market on a domestic, commercial & industrial, as well as national transmission level.
ENDS
* Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Meter Data Management Products, Zarko Sumic, 16 December 2014
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About Siemens
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 165 years. The company is active in more than 200 countries, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is No. 1 in offshore wind turbine construction, a leading supplier of combined cycle turbines for power generation, a major provider of power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive and software solutions for industry. The company is also a leading provider of medical imaging equipment – such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems – and a leader in laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT. In fiscal year 2014, which ended on September 30, 2014, Siemens generated revenue from continuing operations of €71.9 billion and net income of €5.5 billion. At the end of September 2014, the company had around 357,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.
About OMNETRIC Group
OMNETRIC Group is dedicated to the global delivery of integrated information technology and operational technology solutions and services, helping utility companies to achieve greater grid reliability and efficiency. OMNETRIC Group is a joint venture between Siemens AG and Accenture. Combining Siemens’ leading energy technology product portfolio with Accenture’s systems integration, consulting and managed services capabilities, OMNETRIC Group can support clients with innovative solutions wherever they may be on their path to a smarter grid. For more information, visit www.omnetricgroup.com
